The United States asked Russia again on Tuesday the “immediate” release of journalist Evan Gershkovichof The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), accused of spying on a Russian military company in the framework of the war in Ukraine.

The Russian judiciary this Tuesday extended the arrest of Gershkovich, who was arrested in Yekaterinburg, the capital of the Urals, at the end of March last year until August 30. “We ask Russia again to fulfill its obligation to grant consular access”US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller claimed at a news conference.

In addition, Miller demanded the “immediate” release of former Marine Paul Whelan, imprisoned for four years and also charged with espionage. The US official defended that the US has publicly intervened in the matter on several occasions Russia “fulfills its consular obligations” and releases both Gershkovich and Whelan.

Russia accuses Wall Street Journal correspondent of espionage and orders two months in jail

He also recalled that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov last April to demand his release. “Illegal detention of Americans is one of the highest priorities of this department”added Miller, who also cited it as a “priority” for US President Joe Biden.

He, in turn, pointed out that during Biden’s tenure, the return of more than 24 “unfairly detained” Americans has been achieved, something they will continue to work for “by all means” at their disposal. Last month, the Moscow city court rejected the appeal against the arrest of the US correspondent for WSJ and remanded him in pre-trial detention for two months.

Subsequently, the US ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, attended the court, who was able to visit her fellow citizen for the only time after permission from Moscow. On the other hand, the Russian Foreign Ministry last week again denied the consultation visit requested by the US embassy following the sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine.

The Federal Security Service (FSB, former KGB) formally charged the American journalist on April 7 with espionage for collecting data on the activities of a Russian military industry company, which is considered a state secret..